Since the scare with his high blood pressure and loss of the sight in his right eye, my husband's work schedule has been cut way down. I can't slow him down though. He seems to be working harder than ever getting the place in tip top shape for my parents' visit in about a week.

The cheerful sunflower is one of the best flowers that you can gift to someone who is in need of a friendly pick-me-up. Put a smile on a loved one's face and brighten up their life with this permanent bunch of lively sunflowers that will never fade away.

Friday, April 19, 2013

"The wind of heaven is that which blowsbetween a horse's ears."~ Arabian Proverb

Flea Bitten Grey

SOLD

I started this painting yesterday morning and thought I had it finished by dinner time. Then I fussed around with it again today. It started out being a chestnut color Morgan but kept changing and evolving until it turned into this flea bitten (a horsey color term) grey Arabian. Go figure! I'm blaming it on the Yupo paper and on my inquisitive "what if?" attitude. More often than not lately, my paintings seem to have a mind of their own. I just try to go with the flow and give it what it needs and wants. Does that make any sense? Does it ever happen to you?

I hope you are enjoying nice weather in your neck of the woods. I'll be going into Philadelphia tomorrow to meet with a couple of friends, do lunch and visit the art museum. I can almost feel the much needed cultural enrichment already! Thanks for coming by. Happy Spring to you and have a great weekend.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Today's horse painting is the Yin, negative (black) female of yesterday's Yang, the positive (white) male. In these pieces, with expressive brushstrokes, I've tried to interpret the flow of chi within the equine's body. The Yin Yang symbol, with a dot of the other color in each, suggests that there is always a trace of the other present in any situation and nothing is ever entirely Yin or completely Yang. To me, this relates perfectly to living with and caring for horses and without a doubt, to the art of riding them.

"My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunderHe carries me away from all my fearsAnd when the world threatens to fall asunderHis mane is there to wipe away my tears."~ Bonnie Lewis

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Here's one of today's paintings for all you horse lovers out there. Horses were never just a phase for me. I share a bond with them that I will never outgrow. I bought my first horse over forty years ago when I was fourteen. My parents told me that if I saved enough money to buy my own horse, and payed for all its expenses, I could get one. At the time, I don't think they knew just how serious I was. I saved two years of babysitting money and bought my first large pony, a 14.1 hand Arab cross, Cocoa. Since then, my love and obsession for them has just continued to grow stronger. They are, always have been and probably always will be a big part of my life. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Today's larger watercolor was painted directly on Yupo paper with transparent watercolor without any preliminary pencil lines or even a rough thumbnail sketch. For the past year, since I shattered my ankle last April Fool's Day, I have painted primarily smaller works while seated. Today, while standing and painting larger, I rediscovered a whole body, dance like rhythm that's more freeing and relaxing. I don't think I could have done this same painting while seated.

I'm fairly happy with it, but I have a dilemma.

Do I leave it as is?

11.5 x 14.5" ~ 16" x 20" Matted size

SOLD

Or should I add a little more to it? (foliage and/or vase, more pink and blue flowers in the upper left and/or lower right, etc.?) I could go back in. It's easy enough to do on Yupo, unlike traditional cotton rag watercolor paper. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop though. I'm always hearing that little voice saying; "less is more".

Cropped to 12" x 16" matted size

Or do I just crop it and move on?

I'm seeking the help of some of you awesome artists out there! Lately the feeling of isolation from other creative types is starting to get me down. Your camaraderie and suggestions for improving this piece would go a long way in cheering me up. Thanks for your time and input in advance. I love you guys. You know who you are!

P.S. I hate to be a pain, but I'm also looking for suggestions for a title for this one. ☺

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Brave Little Survivor
Rufous Hummingbird
See more about this painting here.

Today's painting's reference photo was taken on March 26th at the Palmyra Cove Nature Center at the foot of the Tacony-Palmyra bridge on the Delaware River. There I witnessed a very rare occurrence - A young Rufous Hummingbird that wintered here in Southern NJ! She showed up at the nature center shortly after Superstorm Sandy and it was believed she may have been blown off course because of the storm. ( In the olden days, they weren't even seen east of the Mississippi.) I thought it was a hoax and had to go see for myself! So at the spur of the moment, I took a field trip over there. She hangs out around the center. I spent some time visiting and shooting her. What a ham! She is quite famous. She was very used to people and seemed to like my company. What fun!

Yesterday I visited the nature center again, as I had an appointment with the gallery curator about having a solo show of my work there in April of 2014. After my meeting, I watched and waited, but was disappointed that I didn't see the little Rufous Hummingbird again. Perhaps she has moved on and will resume her 'normal' migration habits from here on in. I will keep her in my thoughts and wish her well on her arduous journeys.

The weather here has been totally crazy. It was almost 85 degrees here the past two days! Good thing my horse groomer came on Monday to give my wooly 33 yr. old horse, Rudy, a body clip! He's much cooler (in more ways than one) now. He looks and feels 20 years younger and it seems, just in the nick of time for summer!

Rembrandt, aka: Rudy - after his full body clip 4-8-13

In other news: On Saturday afternoon, I was enjoying a beautiful day here in the pines with my horses, Rita and Rudy. They both got a grooming, lots of TLC and a ride. It was all really nice except for two old WWII biplanes that kept circling again and again directly overhead, zooming in really low. Amazingly, it bothered me more than the horses. The pilots had been at it for hours and it was really getting annoying. They fly real low, just above the tree line and those old things are so loud, everything seems to vibrate.

Come to find out later, the forest service was doing some controlled burning nearby and it got out of control! By the end of my second ride, a thick layer of smoke had settled over everything. Fortunately they finally managed to get it under control, but there was a short period of pre-panic when we realized that there was a possibility that we may have to evacuate. Geez, I really felt like a heel. There I was, getting aggravated about the planes and they were working hard to save the forest and our house!

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there and reading my newsy post. I hope all is well in your world and you are enjoying this winter/spring/summer weather. As always, I really appreciate your comments.

Today's painting was inspired by my daffodils which are all just starting to open. Last Monday, we had 5" of heavy wet snow. I put water buckets over the flowers to protect them and they escaped unharmed. It has gotten progressively warmer over the past week and we are now experiencing variable temperatures anywhere from the 20's to the 60's. It's true springtime weather, for sure. What's it like in your area? Has your spring sprung yet?

Who is Sandy Sandy?

Hi! I'm a singular artist with a double name. Loving nature and all animals, I strive to portray the essence and spirit of my subjects in my art - aka, my online identity, Sandy Sandy Spiritartist. I hope you'll stay a while and leave me some comments so we can get to know each other.